Published: August 15, 2025
The textbook sales went well. Toward the end, Mother also came and bought everything for Brother Cornelius.
On top of that, she gave Benno a knowing smile and indirectly told him, “The Rinshan supplies are running low, so come soon.” Since Mother is a high-ranking noble, her attention naturally raised the Gilberta Trading Company’s profile.
Benno smiled and agreed, but I felt his eyes flicker nervously. Being the center of attention from all the nobles at the castle would be overwhelming. I understand well the heavy weight of their gazes and the tension, having been in the spotlight during the baptism and presentation ceremonies.
...But hang in there, Benno!
After finishing the textbook sales, a few ladies looking for Rinshan approached us. Benno and Mark handled the negotiations, and the discussions began.
“Lord Ferdinand, I would like to report that the textbook sales have concluded and to deliver the item you requested. May I meet with Aub Ehrenfest?”
“Ah, I will go myself. You stay here.”
The high priest said to Benno and Mark, then had an attendant nearby carry the wooden box containing the Lesser Holy Grail as he headed to Foster Father’s office.
Fran, Fritz, and Leon were tidying up the remaining textbooks and managing the money.
All the day’s plans were completed.
Regarding the sales, we were told to expect a report later. After returning to the temple with the Gilberta Trading Company members, Fran, and Fritz, I stayed one night at the temple and then hurried back to the castle.
The next day in the children’s room, I told the kids holding their own textbooks to write their names on them. Everyone had the same materials. Writing names was basic.
“Playing cards go here, karuta over there, picture books here. Please write your name or family name. Since everyone has the same things, we must avoid mix-ups.”
Some siblings divided up the task of writing the family names, while others sighed, looking at all the textbooks they had been given and thinking, “Do I really have to write all this?”
“If you only want to write today’s materials, that’s fine. You can get help from your family for the rest.”
Seeing their overwhelmed looks, I said that. The noble daughters breathed a sigh of relief.
I observed the children’s room while listening to new stories from lower-ranking noble children, taking notes. Until now, I had only heard stories from girls, so it was my first time hearing from boys.
Sometimes they’d pause with “Huh?” or try to patch over inconsistencies with what was clearly improvised. It was quite entertaining.
As spring approached, the number of sunny days amidst the falling snow increased. Naturally, the children went outside to play more often, and I also went outdoors to build stamina.
Near the nobles’ Mount loading area, they had built a large pile of packed snow, perfect for sledding.
I intended to join in sledding and snowball fights.
“Let’s go, Lady Rosemine!”
“Yes!”
Though I ran eagerly, I stumbled and fell every few steps in the snow, getting left behind by the children.
After several tries, I never made it to the snow hill. Out of breath, I gave up sledding; while crouching to make snowballs, I got hit by one and lost consciousness. So, my snow play ended just before really starting.
Still, it felt like snow marching, and I think I gained some stamina.
Before I knew it, winter ended and spring arrived.
Parents of new adults, lords, and returning students headed to the noble academy for graduation and coming-of-age ceremonies. After the ceremonies, everyone returned from the academy all at once.
When everyone gathered again, there was a banquet celebrating the end of winter, after which the nobles returned to their lands.
Before that spring celebration banquet, as students returned one after another, I received a humble request for a meeting from Angelica’s parents.
I hadn’t expected them, who had been so apologetic, to seek a meeting themselves, so I wondered what had happened, but I agreed and arranged for a discussion in the meeting room.